Seminar: Bridging Disciplines and Borders: Exploring the Intersection of Software Engineering, HCI, and CS Education in a Global Context
Mohammed Seyam
Collegiate Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science
Virginia Tech
Friday, November 14, 2025
2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Classroom Building, Room 260
Abstract
Software Engineering, Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), and CS Education are three vibrant research domains, each with its own traditions, methodologies, and practices. While these fields share common themes – such as usability, collaboration, and learning – it's not very common for them to converge in sustained research efforts. In this presentation, Dr. Mohammed Seyam explores what it means to work at the intersection of these domains, highlighting both the benefits and challenges of being a “bridge builder” across disciplinary boundaries. His recent work investigates how industry-inspired practices, machine learning (ML), and generative AI (GenAI) can enhance both the software development process and the learning experience in computing education. Drawing on examples from ongoing projects, Seyam illustrates how integrating insights from software engineering, HCI, and CS education can produce research that crosses geographical boundaries and disciplinary divides, fostering more effective, reflective, and globally connected computing practices.
Biography
Mohammed Seyam is a Collegiate Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at Virginia Tech. He is a researcher and educator in the fields of Software and Usability Engineering, Machine Learning, and Computer Science Education. Additionally, he is the CS Department Director of Experiential Learning, where he leads several initiatives to enhance students’ learning through out-of-classroom experiences, including internships, undergrad research, and the CS Study Abroad program which he designed and leads. Mohammed is passionate about bridging global divides in technology education, as he strives to empower students with both the technical capabilities and cultural competencies required in modern software engineering. Bringing different usability perspectives from around the world is a core component of his teaching philosophy, and a developing direction of his research. With over 20 years of university teaching experience, he has conducted numerous talks and workshops internationally. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as Software Engineering in a Global Context, Database Systems, Usability Engineering, and Software Project Management. Dr. Seyam’s publications appear in leading venues including ASEE, SIGCSE, ITiCSE, FIE, VL/HCC, and AIED.